Yellow perch, Perca flavescens, behavior in the Indiana waters of Lake Michigan in 2009, 2011 and 2012

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Authors
Starzynski, David A.
Advisor
Lauer, Thomas E.
Issue Date
2013-07-20
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (M.S.)
Department
Department of Biology
Other Identifiers
Abstract

The Indiana waters of Lake Michigan were sampled weekly from May until August in 2009, 2011, and 2012 to determine the extent of yellow perch reproduction and the role Indiana waters play in yellow perch life history. Experimental gill nets were used to collect fish before, during, and after the spawning season from randomly selected sites along the Indiana shoreline. Yellow perch were then taken to an onshore processing station where they were weighed, measured, and visually examined to determine sex and maturity. Maturity stages of adult yellow perch were used to estimate the timing and duration of yellow perch spawning. Yellow perch population demographics were also compared to determine if different groups of yellow perch were present before and after the spawn. My data suggests that yellow perch spawning is strongly influenced by temperature and that Indiana waters are seasonally used by adult yellow perch for feeding.

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